The Slot & Buttes Pass (Anza Borrego Desert State Park) - Mon 2/15

My friends Rae and Robert joined me for a day of exploring and some hiking in Anza Borrego this past Monday (2/15). We drove out Buttes Pass Road to San Felipe Wash, then up Borrego Mountain Wash until it ends at The Slot. The Slot is about a one-mile (each way) hike that winds its way down through a rather narrow canyon in the sandstone. Most people park at the "top" area, which is just off of Buttes Pass Road, a graded dirt road accessible by most vehicles. From there you scramble down a hillside and then walk downstream through the narrow canyon, then turn around and walk back the same way. We started at the other end, by driving around the Borrego Mountains and coming up the canyon. That route requires 4WD, it's mostly easy but there are a few rocky spots to get over.

There is a lot of vegetation growing out there right now, which makes me think this is going to be a good year for wildflowers.

The Slot is aptly named. It really is pretty narrow most of the way. Here's Robert and Rae in what is actually one of the wider spots.

One of the more unnerving spots in the hike is when you pass under the various rocks that are wedged in the gap above, and look like they could collapse at any time. We came across at least one rockfall that we had to scramble over that I don't remember being there back in November. (We also spotted several recently fallen large chunks of sandstone rock along the trail we were driving, some were pretty big and could have easily blocked the path had they landed differently.)

The canyon is down below, when you are standing on the rim you can't even tell there is a passable route through there.

The ocotillo were blooming beautifully, and the cholla cactus were looking pretty good too.

 
Robert took this shot of me and the Xterra parked along Borrego Mountain Road.

You can see more images at my SmugMug gallery by clicking here.